Persuasive Essay: Suu Kyi Quote --

It is not power that obnubilates but upkeep. Fear of losing power corrupts those who have got it and fear of the scourge of power corrupts those who are subject to it, said the political activist Aung Sang Suu Kyi in her Freedom from Fear speech. Power and fear are tools that corrupt those affected by them, either by using them or being used by them. This ideal has been repeated time and time again in literature as well as in current global situations. Conversely, there are also those who repeatedly move against the current of harsh, imposing leaders and make grand acts of heroism, avoiding the corrupted scourge of the powerful. Examples of this mixed concept can be found in The Crucible, The Scarlet Letter, Unchained Memories, and in modern-day happenings such(prenominal) as the crisis in Darfur. In The Scarlet Letter, many characters are unmasked to show corrupted sides of themselves. This corruption usually comes from self-inflicted torture, such as Dimmesdale and his need to p unish himself on the Q.T. while he remains in a position of power and respect in the community and church. Chillingworth lets himself grow steadily more corrupt as well and revels in the power he holds over Dimmesdale. He lets the power and appeal of revenge take over his entire self, fearing any kind of brio without that meaning. Chillingworth becomes a man who, finally seeing his own fear behind losing his power, lifted his hands with a look of horror, as if he had beheld some severe shape, which he could not recognize, usurping the place of his own image in a glass. It was one of those moments when a mans moral aspect is faithfully revealed to his learning abilitys eye (132). Chillingworth recognizes his own darkness, but he allows it to consume him without any search ... ... such as one woman who had to secretly walk to a refugee camp, without food or shelter, to escape with her daughter. She did not allow herself nor her child to be directly abused, though of course the Jan jaweed made a tremendous impact on their lives, terrifying them of returning home, Heroism and cowardice are often linked to strength and fear, as well as morality and power. When power becomes overbearing towards the batch affected by it, there is a natural fear reaction, either by those with power, who become afraid of losing what they have, and for others under that power for having it used against them. People who materialize ways to not allow themselves to become dirtied by their power or that of others create the presence of heroism. People who let themselves become manipulated by that power, or who wield that power immorally, become cowards and display weakness.